If falling for cupcakes is wrong, you won’t want to be right. Sugar Sweet Sunshine has been satisfying sweet cravings on the Lower East Side since 2003 — one tempting treat at a time. With two welcoming outposts, one on Grand Street and a second tucked away in Stall 33 at Essex Market, this legendary bakery has become a neighborhood favorite serving up desserts that blend retro charm with can’t-say-no decadence. For residents of One Manhattan Square, and anyone craving big bakery bliss, it’s a must-stop on the unofficial LES cupcake crawl.
Don’t be fooled by the playful dessert names like Sexy Red Velvet, Ooey Gooey, and Bob (yes, Bob). Behind the fun is serious baking magic. From sky-high buttercream swirls to mini cupcakes that pack a flavorful and satisfying punch, their display cases are stacked with reasons to skip dinner and go straight to dessert. And just when a certain cupcake steals your heart, the Puddin’ Posse struts in with layered pudding creations that are creamy, crunchy, and impossible to ignore.
Take Bob, for example, a cupcake with a humble name and some serious star power. It’s a yellow cake topped with smooth, rich chocolate almond buttercream. Or Banana Puddin’, layered with bananas, vanilla pudding, classic Nilla wafers, and more than a touch of nostalgia. It’s basically grandma’s kitchen in a cup. And don’t sleep on the Vegan French Toast cupcake. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and crowned with vanilla buttercream, it tastes like brunch in dessert form, minus the waitlist.
Behind the frosting and fun is a story made from scratch. Sugar Sweet Sunshine began with Peg and Deb, two friends who had no formal pastry training but were armed with one well-worn Betty Crocker cookbook and a whole lot of heart. For over a year, every single Sunday, they baked in a tiny apartment kitchen, mixing, laughing, and taste-testing until their dream began to rise. With a never-ending pinch of persistence, a bakery’s reserve of butter, and a fearless “why not?” attitude, they whipped up what would become one of New York’s most beloved bakeries.
From the beginning, Peg and Deb didn’t want to open just a bakery. They wanted to build a vibe. Picture cozy ‘60s and ‘70s flair, handwritten signs, and an open kitchen that invites you to linger, laugh, and lean into sweetness. Sugar Sweet Sunshine is the kind of place where the staff knows your name, your favorite cupcake, and maybe even how you take your coffee.
Some indulgences never go out of style, like a perfectly frosted cupcake or the breathtaking skyline view from One Manhattan Square residences. These homes, from Extell Developments, blend everyday ease with elevated living, creating a space and an experience that feels both exceptional and entirely your own. When you’re ready for a taste of something truly satisfying, reach out to the sales team at One Manhattan Square to learn more.